Joint lock



Feb. 1o, 1931.

A.; F. MILLER 1.791-680 JOINT Loqx l Fned Aug. 24,'1928 llll INVENTOR.-

Waas.' .y l

p ATTORNEY.v

Patented Feb. 10, 1931 UNITED `STATES ALBR'I' l'. KILLER, OF KANSAS GITY, KANSAS JOINT LOCK Application led August 24, 1928. Serial lo. 301,787.

My invention relates torimprovements in joint locks. It is an improvement on the oint lock invention for which Letters Patent umber 1,376,150 were issued to me on April 26, 1921. It is particularly well adapted for use in the construction of grille-work for fastening bars to rails and for fastening together two rails.

One of the objects of my invention is to rovide a novel, simple, cheap and efficient joint lock, which is strong, durable, not liable to break or get out of order, which can be easily and qulckly assembled `or dis-assembled, and which presents a neat and attractive appearance.

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel means for fastening together two rails disposed at an angle to each other.

Still another object of my invention is tol provide a light structure, the parts composing which may have a maximum of strength for a minimum of weight and which may separately be cheaply made from rolled or drawn stock.

The novel features of my invention are hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, which illus-` trates the pre erred embodiment of my invention,

Y embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the bars.

Fig. 3 is a. perspective view of one of the slot closing plates.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section of a ortion of what is shown in Fig. 1.

ig. 5 is an enlarged section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4. 4 Fig. 6 is an enlarged section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Similar reference characters designate similar parts in the diierent views.

The grille-work shown in Figs. 1 and 4, is provided with two horizontal parallel tubular rails disposed one above the other, and which are connected to each other by vertical tubular bars 1.

The top rail and the bottomrail differ 5 only in their positions, which are reversed.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of grille-work The top rail andbottom rail each comprises a hor1 zontal tube 2, having in one side a longitudinal slot 3, the slot in the u per tube 2 being in its upper side, and the s ot 3 of the against the top of the bottom of the lower be 2. Each of the plates 4 is provided with a central longitudinal rib 5 fitted in and filling the adjacent slot 3.

The bottom of the upper tube 2 and the top of the lower tube 2 are each provided with a longitudinal row of holes 6, which may be square and of different sizes, as shown. j

The upper ends of the tubular bars 1 extend through the holes 6 in the up er tube 2 and bear against the under side o the adje# cent plate 4, thereby holding the latter in its proper osition. The lower ends of the bars l exten through and are fitted in the holes 6 1n the lower tube 2, and bear against the upper side of the adjacent plate 4. f

Two longitudinal locking bars 7 are respectlvely mounted in the upper and lower tubes 2.

The bars 1 within the upper tube 2, are each rovided with a perforation 8 disv osed para] el with the upper tube 2 and close y adjacent to the bottom thereof.

The bars l within the lower tube 2 are similarly provided with similar perforations 8 disposed closely adjacent to the upper side of the lower tube 2.

The perforations 8 in the upper tube 2aline with each other, as do the perforations 8 in the lower tube 2.

The locking bars 7 extend through and are respectively removably fitted in the perforations 8 in the end portions of all of the bars l, excepting the bar 1 adjacent to the right ends of the tubes y2, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2. The up er bar 7 bears against the upper side of. the bottom-of the upper tube 2. The lower bar 7 bears against the under side of the top of the lower tube 2. The locking bars 7 thus securely fasten, to the upper andA lower rails, the bars 1 with which they are associated.

At the end of the lle-work may be provided a vertical stienhaving mitered connection at its upper and lower ends respectively with the upper and lower rails.

Said stile comprises a vertical tube, 9, similar in shape, width and thickness to the rail tubes 2, and provided in its outer side with a vertical slot 10, Fig. 6, in which is fitted the central longitudinal rib 5 of a plate 4, corresponding to those already described, which bears against the outer side of the tube 9. y f

Two angle members 11 have one set of arms mounted in the tube 9 at opposite ends thereof respectively, the other two arms of said members being respectively itted in the adjacent ends of the upper and lower tubes 2.

The erforations 8 in the bar 1 which is next adjacent to the tube 9 are screw threaded and have respectively fitted in them two screws `12 which extend longitudinally in the tubes 2 respectively, and which are respectively mounted in holes provided in the angle members 11.

The screws 12 also respectively extend through holes provided in the vertical plate 4 and have their heads bearing against the outer side of said plate. The screws 12 releasably hold the bar 1 with which they engage firmly in its proper position.`

In assembling the grille-work, shown in Figs. 1 and 4,-the bars 1 are all inserted in the holes 6 of the tubes 2, with the perforations 8 alined with each other in said tubes, after which the bars '7 are respectively inserted in the tubes 2 and through the adjacent perforations 8 of those bars 1 which they are designed to lock in position. The plates 4 are then respectively slid across the adjacent ends of the bars 1 into their proper positions in .the slots 3 of the tubes 2.

The angle members 11 are then mounted in the tube 9, after which the vertical plate 4 isl slid into the slot 10 of the tube 9, following which the angle members `11 are respectively inserted into the tubes 2. The screws 12 are then inserted through the vertical plate 4 and the angle members 11, after which the screws are fitted respectively into the holes 8 of the adjacent b'ar 1.

A similar stile may besimilarly attached to the opposite end of the grille-work, is so desired.

In adapting the parts for any particular use, the bars 1 may be of any desired form and diameter, and the holes 6 in the tubes 2 may be of such form and size as may be required for the bars 1 employed, and such holes may be spaced apart to suit the distance desired between the bars 1. The tubes 2 and plates 4 may be made by rolling or drawing, and may be separately made and sold for stock purposes. In such cases the user may provide in the tubes 2 holes 6 to meet his particular requirements.

I do not limit my invention to the structure shown and described, as many modifications, within the scope of the appended claims, may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

1. In a joint lock of the kind described, a tubular rail having in one side a hole, a bar extending through said hole and bearing against the opposite side vof said rail and having a'transverse perforation therethrough located within said rail, and a locking member extending through and projecting from said perforation and bearing against the side of the rail having said hole.

2. In a joint lock of the kind described, a tubular rail having in one side a row of holes, bars extending respectively through, said holes and bearing against the opposite side of said rail and provided each within said rail with a perforation, said perforations alining with each other, and a locln'ng member extending through said perforations and bearing against the side of the rail having the holes.

3. In a joint lock of the kind described, a tubular rail comprising a tube having in one side a. longitudinal slot and provided in the opposite side with a hole, and a plate in said tube closing said slot, a bar extending through said hole and bearing against said plate and having a transverse perforation within said tube, and a locking member extending through said perforation and bearing against the side of said tube having said hole.

` 4. In a joint lock of the kind described, a tubular rail comprising a tube having in one side a longitudinal slot and provided in the opposite side with a row of holes, and a plate in said tube closing said slot, bars extending 'respectively through said holes and bearing against said plate and having each a transverse perforation in said tube, said perforations alining with each other, and a locking member extending through said perforations and bearing against the side of said tube having said holes.

5. In a joint lock of the kind described, a tubular rail having in one side a hole, a bar extending through said hole and bearing against the opposite side of said rail and having within said rail a'transverse threaded perforation, a member closing one end` of said rail, and a screw extendin through and havin a bearing against sai member and fitted 1n said perforation.

6. In a joint lock of the kind described, a tubular rail comprising a tube having in one side a longitudinal slot and in the opposite sidehaving a hole, and a plate in said tube closing said slot, a bar extending through said hole and bearing against said plate and having within said tube a transverse threaded perforation, and a screw tted in said rforation and bearing against the side of t e tube having said hole.

7 In a joint lock of the kind described, a tubular rail comprising a tube having in one side a longitudinal slot and having in the opposite side a hole, and a plate in said tube closing said slot, a bar extending through said hole and bearin against said plate and having within said tu a transverse threaded perforation, a member closing one end of said rail, and a screw extending through said member and fitted in said perforation and bearing against the side of the tube having said hole.

8. In a joint lock of the kind described, a tubular rail havin in one side a hole, a bar extendin throng said hole and bearing against t e opposite side of said rail and having within said rail a transverse threaded hole, a screw fitted in said threaded hole and bearing against the side of said rail having therein the first named hole, and a second rail at an angle to and closin one end of the first named rail and throng which said screw extends and has a beanng.

9. In a joint lock of the kind described, a tubular rail having on one side a hole, a bar extending through said hole and' bearing against t e opposite side of said rail and having a transverse threaded perforation located within said rail, a screw fitted in said perforation, a tubular rail at an angle to and closing the first named rail, and an anglemember having its arms respectively fitted in said rails, said screw extending through and having: bearing against the second named rail.

testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ALBERT F. MILLER. 

